In Bieksa and Hamhuis, Canucks lock up one of the best pairings in NHL

Vancouver Province | Jul 13

No one this side of Roberto Luongo is a more divisive figure on the Vancouver Canucks than Kevin Bieksa.

Fans often want his head.

Local reporters and club supporters, those are the friendly critics.

Around the league he's despised by many opponents.

Remember Ben Eager calling Bieksa a phoney? John Scott saying: "Somebody has to tell him he's not a good hockey player."

The Blackhawks, after being eliminated in overtime in Game 7 of the opening round, talked about many disappointments, but several brought up Bieksa's name, bitterly noting he'd probably hit a contract home run as a free agent this summer.

But that fact is, paired with Dan Hamhuis Bieksa is part of one of the most consistent shut-down pairs in the NHL, one that brings a bit of offence, too.

In fact, until Hamhuis hurt his leg hip-checking Milan Lucic in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final, Hamhuis and Bieksa were the best shut-down pair in the playoffs.

So to have both locked up through 2015-16 bodes extremely well for the Canucks, and the combined cap hit is very friendly to the team.